Unbearable burning pain in chest after Esophageal cancer treatment

Posted by miggy @miggy, Sep 18, 2022

I had Esophageal cancer last winter. I had 7-8 weeks of chemo and radiation. I have since then, had 2 CT scans and 2 endoscopic test. I am cancer free!! But...I have so much pain and burning in my chest that it's almost unbearable. Sometimes I cry. I'm 70 years old and I feel that I shouldn't be crying over such things. The doctors can only say that the pain is caused by the chemo and radiation damage! I have an appointment with surgeon next month. Anyone have any thoughts or comments on this?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Esophageal Cancer Support Group.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Sep 18, 2022

Hi @miggy, I’m confident that other members in the esophageal cancer group will have some ideas that you can pursue with your cancer team to help soothe and resolve the terrible burning pain that you are experiencing after chemo and radiation treatment. Members like @loribroda @lori57216 @survivorsuz and @puprluvr

Miggy, This must be so unbearable despite getting the encouraging news that you are cancer free!

Here are a couple of related discussions although I’m not certain they reflect the pain you’re experiencing.
- Scar tissue in throat caused by radiation and chemo treatment https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/scar-tissue-in-throat-caused-by-radiation-and-chemo-treatment/
- My Dad has terrible burns from radiation. Any suggestions to help? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/radiation-burns/

Can you describe your situation a bit more? Is the pain inside your chest? Your throat? Do you have issues with swallowing, mucus?

miggy | @miggy | Sep 18, 2022

In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi @miggy, I’m confident that other members in the esophageal cancer group will have some ideas..." + (show)

Thanks for getting back to me.
The pain is on the inside of my chest. Right behind breast bone; between breasts. I have a lot of trouble eating and drinking. I can't eat anything that is bulky or thick. I can't eat a quantity of anything, 1/2 piece toast, etc. If I eat to much or take to many pills even, I will vomit it all back up. And for everything that goes down, even spit, I have to burp. Constantly burping. I vomit until I heave probably 3-4 times a week. I was dead set against surgery if there is NO CANCER. But I can't continue to live this way and the doctors don't seem to know what to do.😥

naomicanada | @naomicanada | Sep 26, 2022

Hello ! Did you have surgery ?
What was the stage ?
My mom got this after radiation and she used something called magic mouthwash it worked well !

naomicanada | @naomicanada | Sep 26, 2022

In reply to @miggy "Thanks for getting back to me. The pain is on the inside of my chest. Right..." + (show)

After chemio radio the pet scan of my mom was clear BUT that didn’t cancelled the surgery and during surgery a small lymph node close to tumour was + .
She had a R0 surgery with clear margins but her oncologist wants her to get immuno to reduce the risk of coming back

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